Chamber and committees

In my capacity as Energy Minister I have met with Scottish Renewables on a number of occasions in the context of my role, but last met formally on 22 August 2016. This was an introductory meeting between myself and the organisation. In this meeting we discussed engagement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the recent offshore wind judgements, transmission costs in Scotland, the Scottish Government Energy Strategy and shared ownership.

Opportunities for All is a commitment to an offer of an appropriate place in education or training to all 16 to 19 years olds who need one. In delivering the commitment the Scottish Government contributes to a range of opportunities including:

Staying on at school;

Activity Agreements;

College and university courses;

Employability training programmes;

Community Jobs Scotland; and

Modern Apprenticeships.

To deliver the Opportunities for All Commitment the Scottish Government also supports young people through their post-16 transitions into learning, training and employment by providing funding to Local Authorities. A breakdown of the Post-16 Transitions budget, since 2012, is outlined in the following table:

Opportunities for all is delivered through Scottish Government programmes and programmes delivered by a number of partners including Local Authorities and the Third Sector. Impact of the commitment is currently measured through the Annual Participation Measure, first published in August 2015, which better enables the Scottish Government to report on all 16-19 year olds participating in Opportunities for All offers of learning, training and employment – not just school leavers.

The Annual Participation Measure report published in August 2016 shows that, nationally, the number of 16-19 year olds participating in learning, training or work is 201,152 (90.4%).

This Group will be established as soon as possible. We are speaking to key stakeholders about the potential membership which will be drawn from a range of sectors as indicated in the Labour Market Strategy. The remit will be finalised once the Group is established, but our aim is to ensure that our approach remains dynamic and responsive to changing economic conditions and evidence. It will inform future policies and advise on how best to deliver our vision as new challenges emerge. It will also consider the commitment in the Strategy to look at improving the labour market data that is collected. The date of the first meeting will be announced in due course, once the membership has been agreed.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02375 on 8 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

A breakdown of the Scottish Government’s funding to the Inspiring Scotland 14:19 Fund and numbers of young people who have been supported is provided in the following table.

We have also provided a further £4million for 2016-17.

The Scottish Energy Advisory Board last met on 1 March 2016. There was a substantive discussion in the future direction of energy policy in Scotland which was followed by a discussion on the oil and gas sector that included update on the work of the Energy Jobs Taskforce from Lena Wilson.

Since then, a number of SEAB sub-groups have met, including the Offshore Wind Industry Group, which met on 14 June 2016, and the Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Group, which met on 2 July 2016. Both of these were attended by the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy. The First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work and the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy continue to engage with stakeholders across the energy sector on a regular basis. There have been a range of meetings with the oil and gas sector since May, most recently with the First Minister meeting senior industry leaders of Oil and Gas UK’s board in Aberdeen on 19 September 2016.

The additional capital budget of £3.5 million will be included in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's next allocation letter, due to be issued at the beginning of October 2016.

The Scottish Government has budgeted £3.5million in 2016-17 for the initial piloting of the three Innovation and Investment Hubs. As part of the next spending review the Scottish Government will consider budgets for future years. Outcomes for each Hub location will be determined by a careful assessment of the distinct opportunities and potential benefits in each geographical area.

On the London Hub - these will be based on developing and growing trade links, strengthening government to government relations and supporting collaborations on economic, academic and innovation projects. Detailed planning between the four partners in the London Hub - Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Visit Scotland - is on-going to ensure staffing levels will support those opportunities and reflect our ambitions for Scotland.

On the Dublin Hub - the focus is on strengthening the economic relationship between Scotland and Ireland, the development and delivery of opportunities for commercial and academic collaboration, and on strengthening our shared cultural and heritage links. There will be three staff employed in the Dublin Hub.

On the Brussels Hub - Detailed consideration is underway regarding the operation of the Brussels Hub, in line with post referendum planning. There are already two teams operating in Brussels: the Scottish Government’s EU Office and Scotland Europa, who provide services and support to Scottish organisations involved in EU engagement, projects and funding.

This is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond.

This is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Chief Executive to respond.